Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-02-03
FOURTH EDITION
Departure 81 the Ava.

Vanderbilt's hands steel yacht,
the Alva, left the wharf 1T the Harlan
& Hollirgs v orth Company's ship yard
ct 6 As o'cclcck this morning, with
three tugs ahead towing her and one ~
the stern pushing. Captain Morrison,
her comnandsr, Was on board, Anc
when the lines were cast on from the
whar. the tugs puded volumes OF steam
while their propellers turned rapid ly 10
the water, but for y few minutes u
seemed ~ though the immense vessel
was not disposed TO leave the place
where she Was constructed. Finally
abe commence to move, and continued
slope slowly III til the tugs had rescheo
the draw ut Market street bridge, wnen
she almos, came to . stand still ana IL
was evident that the keel WAS plo wing
through the mud at the bottom OF the
creek, the water ct this point being less
than hftt en- fet {, while the Alvs draws
seventeen feet.
Tue powerful tugs howavcr proved
| eQusl to the emerge pcy. and at O'CLOCK
pre- cist y tho yacht passed through the
draw Ut Market street bridge, and II
| was closed.
| The other places along the Chsistispa
| where 1t was pred cted she would STICK
we're passed in eafety, and by s o'clock
she Was far down the river on her way
toward the Delaware Owing 70 the
early hour o. which she started and the
| very unpleAsa ant weather there were not
as many persons present TO witness het
departure rs there would have beeu had
the weather been pleasant. Qnite .
rum Der Of person, went to Msrke'
ct eet bridge between and O'Clock
and were surprised TO learn that the
yacht had gone and, owing 70 the heavy
fog, WAS already out OF sight.
The Alva left here all ready Tor he'
trial trip to the Bermuda Islands win
the exception Of the furnishing OF tn
saloons and staterooms, which will b'
done in the most costly and sumptuoui
manner after her arrival at New York
Many OF the dishes, silvsrwA Q ant
other articles needed on the vessel wer'
purchased from merchan ts in this city
The % ain dining room is situated amid
ships and 10 . magnificent apartmen
nofhed In white enamel with giide'
panels.
the private quarters Of Mr.. Wander
bilt and hts family, consisting OF MIN
apartments, ore Immediately forwar,
OF the dining room, aud under eac
| tpattu out o1O uotu tboo WAth hptt wv
and salt water. There 10 large librAr
aud seven rooms for guests back Of tn
ii. ing room, and back Of these ROOM
are the bcilers and engireers' QuaIterl
The efficers' rooms are aft, and u
sailors quarters are Ia the forward %
Icy. The yacht has four sir-iiRht sou
pariment', which will prevent AZ
danger from sinking in ease OF coll
sion, OF . hole being stovo In the hull.
There il au immense Holefern slsctr
search light on her deck, which IL
said will light up the sea for eiRl
miles. The vessel will be supplied vii
two beautiful yacht cannon which .
the largest that have ever been mad
:, They have just been finished At tho IN
tory of the Strang Firearms CompAr
in New Haven, Conn, and with the
carriages will weigh 100 pound
There we're l 500 pounds Of gun m,
used In their con instruction. and thepii
paid for them 10 81. 800. Each gun is
inches in length, and 10 loaded by RI
ing the top Of the breech, which swim
over on hinges somewhat like tr'
door.
In the hands Of an expert they can
cred from fifteen 10 twenty timos
minute. They are mounted upon sol
heavy mahogany carriages, and {
wheels have rubber tires, 90 that N
can be moved about the deck east
and with but li:tle noiee. Experts "
have seen these guns pronounce the
TO be the finest specimens Of that eli
OF workmanship that has ever be
turned out in tho United S.a'es, II l
In the world. The same can be said
the yacht itself. and wherever 1t N
go It will be . sample Of the workmi
ship OF Wilmington mechanics.